In my school you can't say/write Merry Christmas because it's a religious holiday. Plus you have Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. You can even get a detention. I was just wondering if other peoples' schools are this strict.

Wow, really? Is it a private school or something? Is this in the US? I find that quite odd.

Moved to School for obvious reasons.

No, I can't say they are. Christmas, although having "Christ" in the name, isn't really even considered a religious holiday these days. Only to those who are actually religious.

Personally, I think your school is taking the wrong road. Instead of banning everyone from saying things like Merry Christmas, etc. they should allow them all. That way, everyone gets to say what pertains to their religion. If someone wants to say merry Christmas, they should be able to. Those who want to say Happy Hanukkah should be able to. Happy whatever, it should all be accepted. That makes it fair. And if they really want to get into it, decorate the halls with every holiday saying.

Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Does that even exist anymore? -_-'

Yup, I'm in the U.S. And it's a public school.

I mean not all teachers agree with it (like the older ones) they won't attack you, but they warn you and just ask you to say Happy Holidays. That way no one gets offended.

Apparently Freedom of Speech doesn't exist. This is just like people arguing over saying God in the Pledge of Alligenice or having naviety scenes in front yards...

wow. in my block class we were talking about this.
our teacher told us to say "happy holidays" because some people may be offended if you say "merry christmas" or something. i mean, we won't get in trouble for saying "merry christmas" but it's just polite to not offend people.

Wow, I think they take separation of church and state too seriously..

None of my schools have ever done that before. It's a widely celebrated holiday. And as Brenden said, it's not really considered a religious holiday anymore. Almost everyone celebrates it! Why not just let kids say it?

Some of the teachers put up fake trees and call them "Holiday Trees" but the day before winter break we always get the kids wearing the santa hats and suits. But I don't really think that's a big deal because that doesn't really have to do with religious part of the holiday... more a tradition derived from St. Nicholas day.

I thought it was strange that when I went to the mall people would say Merry Christmas.

wth... o_o;; christmas is aloud in my school. :]

^Throwing up "Merry Christmas", thats a little odd to hear at first.

I agree though, atleast on how strict your school is and how its so rediculous.

Yea, that seems quite odd =]

No, my school's not like that at all. I say "Happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" though.

Do they ban 'Happy Chanukah', as well?

At my school, we're allowed to say Christmas and Chanukah and Kwanzaa. Some people put up posters with the various holidays, as well.

Do they ban Easter, too?
and Passover?

I find that a little odd. I don't celebrate Christmas, but don't get offended when people wish me a merry Christmas, because I understand that most people celebrate it versus Chanukah. Most times I smile and say same to you, because there's no reason to make a fuss over good intentions.

I think that's pretty common in public schools, at least in my area. I go to a religious school, so everyone's pretty much anti "Happy Holidays". I celebrate Christmas, but for the most part, I agree with schools and places of buisnesses saying Happy Holidays. Sure, way more people celebrate Christmas than Hannukah and other holidays, but that would be excluding people. I know if I someone said happy Hannukah or Kwanzaa to me, I'd be a little offended... not mad, just a little upset that they didnt say Merry Christmas instead. So I think by saying Happy Holidays, your identifying everyone.

I guess thats just seperation of church and state though. Since I'm not a public school student, I'm not completely sure on how religion is presented - but students still should be educated on different religion's holidays, whether they're Jewish, Muslim, Protestant ones, ect.